Social media

Social media are new media technologies that make it easy for people to share ideas and interests with others online. These platforms work like virtual communities where users can post text, digital photos, videos, and more. They help people stay connected, make friends, and even promote businesses or ideas.

Popular social media platforms include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn, among others. Unlike old media such as newspapers or TV, social media allow many people to talk and share with many others, creating a lively exchange of information and opinions.

However, social media can also have downsides, especially for younger users. It sometimes shows content that might not be suitable, and it can affect how people feel about themselves and others. It's important for everyone, especially kids and teens, to use social media thoughtfully and safely.

History

See also: Timeline of social media

Early computing

The PLATO system started in 1960 at the University of Illinois. It had early social features like message forums, instant messaging, and online chat rooms. ARPANET, launched in 1969, let people share ideas and talk to each other. It later grew into the Internet in the 1990s. Usenet, made in 1979, was the first open social media app.

Social media platforms

Social media really began in the mid-1990s with sites like Classmates.com and SixDegrees.com. These sites let people connect using real names. Later, platforms such as Friendster, Myspace, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter became very popular. Today, billions of people around the world use social media, often on smartphones.

Definition

Social media are online tools that let people share ideas, photos, and messages with others. They include websites where users can make profiles and connect with friends or groups.

In simple terms, social media are places on the internet where people can talk, share, and interact with each other.

Services

Social media has many types of online services that people use to share and connect. Examples include blogs like HuffPost and Boing Boing, business networks such as LinkedIn, microblogs like Twitter and Tumblr, photo sharing sites such as Pinterest and Flickr, and social networks like Facebook and Instagram.

Other services include forums such as Gaia Online, video sharing platforms like YouTube, and social gaming including MMORPGs like Fortnite and World of Warcraft. Many of these services let users share different kinds of content and interact in many ways.

Mobile social media

Mobile social media means using social media on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. This lets people connect and share from anywhere, not just on a computer.

Mobile services can use the user's location to give information that matches where they are.

According to Andreas Kaplan, mobile social media has four types: space-timers, which are messages about a place and time; space-locators, which are posts about a place for others to read later; quick-timers, which make updates more immediate; and slow-timers, which are regular social media apps used on mobile devices.

Elements and function

Main article: Viral phenomenon

Social media lets people share things that can spread very fast, like how a virus moves from one person to another. This is called going viral. For example, a funny video or a catchy message can reach millions of people in just a few hours. Businesses and nonprofits often want their messages to go viral because it’s a good way to get lots of attention.

Social media has many tools to help people share and talk with each other. Some special computer programs, called bots, can automatically like, comment, or follow others. These bots can help with marketing but sometimes act like real people, which can cause problems. Over time, many social media sites have added new features, like sharing videos or short clips, making them more similar to each other.

Usage statistics

Main article: List of social platforms with at least 100 million active users

In 2022, about 3.96 billion people around the world used social media. This number has grown from 3.6 billion in 2020.

Social media became very important during the COVID-19 pandemic. It helped people stay connected and share information. Many young people used platforms like YouTube to watch videos and stay in touch with friends. Adults also used social media more to keep up with news and connect with others while staying safe at home.

Use by organizations

Governments use social media to share information with the public, talk with citizens, and support involvement in government activities. They also use it to monitor public opinion and educate people about important topics like health risks.

Businesses use social media for many purposes, such as advertising products, building brand recognition, and connecting with customers. Companies also use social media to learn about what people are talking about and to understand trends. Social media helps businesses reach specific groups of people with ads and can even create new ideas through user comments and interactions.

Politicians use social media to share their messages and try to influence voters. Social media has also been important in political movements and activism, helping to spread ideas and organize people. Scientists and researchers use social media to share their work and connect with others in their field, which can help increase interest in science and education.

Use by individuals

Social media helps people stay connected with friends and family. Many teens think it is important to use social media to talk with friends and share their lives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many adults used social media to keep in touch with others.

Some people might feel stressed by social media, especially if they worry about what others are saying online. Others might prefer texting to talking face-to-face, which can sometimes make people feel lonely. Social media can also lead to things like stalking, where someone looks at another person's posts too closely. There are also cases of catfishing, where someone pretends to be another person online.

Issues

Main article: Problematic social media use

Social media can change how people see themselves. Some users spend a lot of time making their profiles look good. This can make others feel sad if their own lives seem less exciting. This can lead to feelings of unhappiness, especially for teens who care a lot about likes and comments.

Social media can also affect health, especially for younger users. It can help people find support for health issues, but it can also share wrong information. Using social media too much can feel like it takes over, and may stop people from spending time with others in real life. It can also make it harder to get good sleep, as using devices late at night can disturb rest. Some people feel worried they are missing out on fun things others are doing, which can affect how they feel.

Social impacts

Social media can affect people and society in many ways. Some people worry it can make people feel lonely or more divided, especially in their political views. This can happen because social media often shows content that matches what a person already believes, making it harder to see different perspectives.

Social media can also spread stereotypes, which are oversimplified ideas about groups of people. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some people blamed young people for spreading the disease, while others made assumptions about older people’s ability to use social media. These stereotypes can create misunderstandings and make it harder for people to get along online.

Social media has changed the way people communicate. Young people often use new words and symbols, like "LOL" for "laugh out loud," to talk more quickly. The hashtag helps people find and discuss topics they care about. However, some worry that spending too much time online can make it harder for young people to learn how to talk and interact in person. While social media can help friends stay in touch and find communities, it’s important to use it carefully to avoid problems like bullying or sharing private information.

Regulation by government authorities

Main article: Online service provider law

Governments all over the world have created different rules to manage social media.

In Australia, a law from 2024 aims to keep social media for people over 16, to protect younger users. Big platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat must follow this rule. But services like YouTube can be used by younger users if the content is educational.

In the United States, a law from 1996 says websites are not responsible for what users post. But in 2024, Florida made a new rule to check the age of users. This helps stop very young people from signing up without parents’ approval.

The European Union made strong rules in 2022. These rules say that illegal content online must be removed. Big websites must also protect children’s privacy and safety. They cannot use personal information like gender for ads. Companies that break these rules could be fined a lot of money or stopped from working in Europe.

Business models

Most social media platforms make money by selling space to advertisers. They use information about each user to show ads that might interest that person. This encourages platforms to show users lots of content so they see more ads. Some platforms, like X, also offer paid subscriptions to users to help reduce their reliance on ad revenue.

Criticism, debate and controversy

Social media is very powerful, and this has caused many discussions. People worry about how it affects our minds and feelings. They also worry about whether the information we see is true. Sometimes, fake news can spread quickly, especially after big events.

There are also questions about who owns the things we share online. Even though we create posts and photos, the platforms often control how they are used. People are also concerned about privacy because platforms collect a lot of personal information. This data can be used for advertising or other purposes.

Young people should be careful about what they share online. There are worries that using social media too much can make some feel anxious or sad. There are also concerns about children seeing things they shouldn't or being bullied online. Because of these worries, some schools have rules about phone use, and some countries have made rules to protect younger users.

Deceased users

Further information: Death and the Internet

When a person dies, their social media posts often stay online. Family members can ask the website to remove the account or keep it as a way for others to remember the person. Most websites have special rules to help families during this time. They may ask for proof to show that the person has passed away.